Standard Software Installs

Chevy · 11-18-2005, 10:35 AM

Just curious - for those of you who do pc/it work for a living, what do you install on a client's pc to protect against malware?

My standards:

(Assuming 2kPro or XP machine)

MS Antispyware
AdAware Personal
Spybot Search&Destroy
Spywareblaster
Spywareguard

(if no Antivirus)
ezArmor Suite or Panda (need to make my markup ..

)

Vikesrock8411 · 11-19-2005, 07:11 PM

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but I am definitely not fond of MSAS.

These are some of the adware/spyware programs that this program will NOT prompt you to remove. Claria, 180Solutions, WhenU, New.net, most WhenU apps, eZula,TopText, Gain/Gator, and Webhancer. These are all known adware/spyware programs and hijackers.

Other than your list I would look at IE-Spyad and MVPS HOSTS as they are both run and done things that the user will never have to worry about.

hopper · 11-19-2005, 08:19 PM

I agree with Vikes (not just because I'm a Vikings fan). I have not even tested MSAS. #1 - it's beta. #2 - shortly after it's release, news of a deal with Claria/Gain/Gator. These have been huge proprietors of malware for years. Of course, since using multiple spyware apps is what most of us do, the other apps can pick up what MSAS misses. I just can't endorse a product that allows what it does.

That said, I like to keep things simple. I always install Ad-Aware and Spybot S&D, as well as instructions and screenshots on how to use. I also install AVG free on all home user machines if they have no protection or expired subscriptions. (I should install the pro version as I would make $5 per as an affiliate.)

It may not be the most comprehensive package, but personally, I've relied on AVG and Ad-Aware since around 2000. I have NEVER had to format or troubleshoot one of my own machines using this combo of protection. My clients call me back for unrelated issues, which tells me that the ease of use of these programs are keeping them clean. That, and a little education and common sense.

I also use HJT as an analysis tool. It finds abnormalities that no AV or antil-spyware will ever find.

Chevy · 11-19-2005, 09:08 PM

Well, AFA MSAS goes, true - I wouldn't rely on it as a sole solution. But, as a free app, scheduled scans, and as part of the suite of apps - it's an ok choice.

IESpyad is a nice little utility - I'll use it on certain machines (ones that seem to keep coming back).

The Triad AdAware/S&D/Spywareblaster is, imho, about as good as you can get.

However, since a lot of users won't take the time to update and scan, adding an automated scan and Spywareguard really seems to help.

Newxt step - affiliate with Lavasoft and start pushing Pro.

~~whodat~~ · 11-20-2005, 03:19 AM

xoftspy, ewido, adaware
they all seem to find different infections

Skie · 11-20-2005, 12:04 PM

Depending on how badly they've been infected, I'll do the following:

Ad-Aware
Spybot S&D
AVG (if they don't want to buy the newest McAfee or Norton)

If need be, I'll install HiJackThis.

I can usually spot most things that auto run just by manually looking through the registry, so the 1st 3 I listed is usually enough.

11-18-2005, 10:35 AM	#1 (permalink)
Chevy Semi-Retired Manager, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Notlob Posts: 5,172 OS: Vista Ultimate My System	Standard Software Installs Just curious - for those of you who do pc/it work for a living, what do you install on a client's pc to protect against malware? My standards: (Assuming 2kPro or XP machine) MS Antispyware AdAware Personal Spybot Search&Destroy Spywareblaster Spywareguard (if no Antivirus) ezArmor Suite or Panda (need to make my markup .. ) __________________ “My philosophy, like color television, is all there in black and white” -M. Python

11-19-2005, 09:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
Chevy Semi-Retired Manager, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Notlob Posts: 5,172 OS: Vista Ultimate My System	Well, AFA MSAS goes, true - I wouldn't rely on it as a sole solution. But, as a free app, scheduled scans, and as part of the suite of apps - it's an ok choice. IESpyad is a nice little utility - I'll use it on certain machines (ones that seem to keep coming back). The Triad AdAware/S&D/Spywareblaster is, imho, about as good as you can get. However, since a lot of users won't take the time to update and scan, adding an automated scan and Spywareguard really seems to help. Newxt step - affiliate with Lavasoft and start pushing Pro. __________________ “My philosophy, like color television, is all there in black and white” -M. Python

11-20-2005, 12:04 PM	#6 (permalink)
Skie Manager, Alternative Comp Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Downers Grove, IL Posts: 1,821 OS: Gentoo Linux, Redhat Enterprise Linux, CentOS My System	Depending on how badly they've been infected, I'll do the following: Ad-Aware Spybot S&D AVG (if they don't want to buy the newest McAfee or Norton) If need be, I'll install HiJackThis. I can usually spot most things that auto run just by manually looking through the registry, so the 1st 3 I listed is usually enough. __________________

11-19-2005, 07:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
Vikesrock8411 Analyst, Security Team Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 3,065 OS: Windows XP	Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but I am definitely not fond of MSAS. These are some of the adware/spyware programs that this program will NOT prompt you to remove. Claria, 180Solutions, WhenU, New.net, most WhenU apps, eZula,TopText, Gain/Gator, and Webhancer. These are all known adware/spyware programs and hijackers. Other than your list I would look at IE-Spyad and MVPS HOSTS as they are both run and done things that the user will never have to worry about.

11-19-2005, 08:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
hopper Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 169 OS: XP / Ubuntu 6.10	I agree with Vikes (not just because I'm a Vikings fan). I have not even tested MSAS. #1 - it's beta. #2 - shortly after it's release, news of a deal with Claria/Gain/Gator. These have been huge proprietors of malware for years. Of course, since using multiple spyware apps is what most of us do, the other apps can pick up what MSAS misses. I just can't endorse a product that allows what it does. That said, I like to keep things simple. I always install Ad-Aware and Spybot S&D, as well as instructions and screenshots on how to use. I also install AVG free on all home user machines if they have no protection or expired subscriptions. (I should install the pro version as I would make $5 per as an affiliate.) It may not be the most comprehensive package, but personally, I've relied on AVG and Ad-Aware since around 2000. I have NEVER had to format or troubleshoot one of my own machines using this combo of protection. My clients call me back for unrelated issues, which tells me that the ease of use of these programs are keeping them clean. That, and a little education and common sense. I also use HJT as an analysis tool. It finds abnormalities that no AV or antil-spyware will ever find.

11-20-2005, 03:19 AM	#5 (permalink)
~~whodat~~ Register user Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 5,931 OS: XP	xoftspy, ewido, adaware they all seem to find different infections